When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Is Beehiiv A CRM.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no platform costs (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv A CRM
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue potential, simple and basic Is Beehiiv A CRM.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make extra, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.